Hands-Free Cell Phone Law Coming to Maryland, This Friday, October 1, 2010

LAUREL, Md., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 1, 2010, Maryland will join the District of Columbia and seven other states (Calif., Conn., Del., Wash., N.J., N.Y., and Oregon) that require drivers to use a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.  The new law will be a secondary offense, meaning that a driver must first commit a primary offense, such as speeding or reckless driving before they can be ticketed.  The fine for a first offense is $40 and subsequent offenses will cost a driver $100.

Verizon Wireless has been an industry leader in promoting responsible driving while using wireless phones, breaking with the rest of the wireless industry in 2000 to support state-wide legislation that required hands-free devices. In addition, the company supports legal bans on texting while driving and prohibits its employees from texting while driving a company vehicle.

Beginning in August 2010, Verizon Wireless began posting notices in its regional stores to make customers aware of law change in Maryland and educating customers at the point of sale.  Verizon Wireless also offers consumers the following safety tips to encourage responsible driving:

• If you choose to talk on your wireless phone while driving, always use a hands-free device. Make sure the device is on and working before you start to drive.
• Do not check, read or send emails or text messages while driving. 
• To help decrease your risk of distraction, allow calls to go to voicemail, and do not dial or look up phone numbers while driving.

To help the public comply with the new law, Verizon Wireless' local stores are well stocked with a wide variety of hands-free accessories with prices starting at $12.99.  Options include:

• Bluetooth headsets and earpieces, which fit over a user's ear and pair seamlessly with a wireless device.  Many of these accessories offer echo cancellation and noise reduction.  

• Corded earpieces that can double as stereo headsets and offer strong audio clarity.  An inline microphone allows users to seamlessly transition between music and hands-free calling.

• Car window and dashboard mounts, which allow users to operate their devices in speakerphone mode with voice-activated dialing and voice commands.  

"As the nation's wireless leader, Verizon Wireless is committed to promoting the responsible use of wireless technology," said Mike Maiorana, regional president, Verizon Wireless.  "For more than a decade, our company has been a leader on the issue of distracted driving prevention, and we're ready to work with Maryland consumers to help them understand and comply with the new law."

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless